Page 26 of Chasing Football Dreams

“Zoey,” I looked at Coach Shane. “You’ve got this, kiddo,”

“Thanks, coach,” I jogged over to my team to give them the orders and I saw the looks of the opposing team.

“I hope you can take a beating, girl,” A guy commented in the huddle.

I ignored his snarky remark and crouched forward, my hands waiting for the snap. “Blue-cross-hut-hut!” The ball fell into my hands and I will never let anyone tell me that my dreams are crazy.

The team struggled to get past their defence, we got tackled and penalized for stuff that sounded insane but we kept pushing. As much as I had half of the stadium voting against me, I pushed them out of my head and I went for the longest pass that I’ve ever done.

Silence before complete eruption of applause exploded as the girl that everyone saw as weak, showed them that I don’t need to wear a skirt to distract anyone. My point was made when every pass was better than the one before and my team kept pushing until we beat them with one point.

We stood in the locker room, exhausted and covered in the aftermath of a tough game.

The coaches stood in front of us. “I would say that was the game that made each of you winners,” Coach Derick began. He looked at me with a look of awe. “Zoey. That pass of yours,”

He looked thunderstruck. “You set a new record today,”

The boys cheered and I was applauded with pats on my back. “But let’s not stop there. You pulled a rabbit out of the hat when you went for a jog and halfway through found your receiver. You’ve made this season one of my best. You had me on the end of my seat, cheering for you and anyone who dared to diss you, met their demise,”

“I am proud of this team. Proud of you. Your hard work paid off and next week, whether we lose or win. You are winners in my eyes,”

We cheered again, hugging each other and bumping fists. “Get dressed and enjoy your celebrations. And we’ll see each of you Monday,”

“And Zoey,” I looked up to see Coach Derick. “This is something I want you to answer me at the end of next week. Even when everyone was against you, called you out for replacing a boy and talked about how a girl is not as fast and strong as a boy. Was it worth it not to give up?”

He walked out with the rest of the coaches following. I turned to my team, smiling at them. “It was worth meeting every one of you and getting a chance to be part of this team,”

“Dammit, Zo. You are going to make a guy cry,”

There were a few snickers and a few tears, followed by hugs. “You were made for this position. Nobody can take that away from you,” Xander said.

I am starting to think that all time listening to everyone’s opinions was my downfall. All I needed to make me see my worth was a team of boys who had more faith in me than I had in myself.

“Well, I should probably head out to my locker room,” I smiled at Duncan who winked at me.

“I’ll wait for you,”

I nodded at him, making my way out and heading towards the girl’s locker room. I pushed the door open almost jerking out of my skin when I found Eliza getting pushed up against the locker by Andrew.

“Are you guys serious?!” I whirled around, shutting the door behind me wishing that I could wash my eyes out.

“Zoey?” I looked up, seeing Duncan all freshly showered and dressed while I was still dressed in my sweat. “Why are you standing out here?”

The door opened and Andrew scuffled past, his head hanging low in shame as he gave a quick apology.

Duncan’s gaze followed him. He was wearing a frown when his gaze returned to me. “Why the hell…” He stopped talking when he finally put two and two together.

“Yeah. I am just going to change,” I will shower at his place.

Eliza waited for me at my locker, her cheeks all flushed. “I’m sorry,” It was fun seeing her all bashful.

“I am glad you and Andrew sorted things out but please. Next time you two get the hots and can’t wait until home. Don’t use my locker. There are 20 other empty lockers,”

I chuckled when she threw me with a towel. “It wasn’t meant to happen. Things got out of hand,”

“Hmm. Is he giving you the thrills?” I teased like she teased me when I told her about Duncan and me.

She smiled, leaning the side of her head against the locker next to mine. “I think I can love this one, Zoey. You know. It’s real. He sees me. I feel respected and admired,”

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